Links

Derrius Brooks knows what to expect from the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The position he’ll be asked to play, however, is a different story.

The Calgary Stampeders starter for the first two weeks of the season at boundary corner, Brooks is expected to return from a strained MCL in his left knee at halfback, replacing the injured Quincy Butler (knee).

Brooks last saw action against the same team he’ll face Friday (7 p.m., TSN, News Talk 770), as he went down in the Week 2 road loss to the Riders when he collided with a teammate on a tackle.

Dressler went off for 10 catches, 108 yards and a score in Week 2, matching up for the most part against Jamar Wall, who could also return this week from his own knee injury suffered in that contest.

“They do a lot of option routes, and with their receivers, you can’t just let them run, you gotta get hands on them,” said Brooks, who could see a lot of the shifty Dressler. “If you just sit back and wait on them to make a move, they run everywhere, they got so many option routes. If you sit back at 10 (yards), they gonna sit at 5 (yards). It’s all about getting up to the line and getting a hand on them.

“We went in last game trying to get hands on them, but we just didn’t do a good job.”

With Fred Bennett entrenched at one corner spot, Chris Randle’s strong play on the outside has given Stamps GM/head coach John Hufnagel some options.

“Chris has done an extremely good job at the corner position, and we’re just trying to put our best five on the field at the time,” Hufnagel said. “It’s a juggling act.”

Brooks dabbled at halfback after joining the Stamps last summer, and it’s clear he’s most comfortable on the outside, but the former Western Kentucky Hilltoppers shutdown corner just wants to get back on the field.

“It’s real tough, man,” Brooks said. “You come in as a starter, and you just want to get out there and play and contribute any way you can. I want to be on the field, just like everybody else. I love this game and I’m getting paid for it, so I want to be out there earning my money.

“I played (halfback) some last year. I’ve gotta change my technique a little bit. Corner, that’s my spot, but Chris, he came in and is doing real well. Whatever helps the team out, I’m willing to play whatever.”

Hufnagel will make a decision who suits up in Butler’s spot later this week.

“Right now, he’s adjusting to a new position, and that’s where practice is going to be the telling sign of who gets the call, D-Brooks or Jamar,” Hufnagel said.

Calgary Stampeders defender Derrius Brooks returns to new position

Derrius Brooks knows what to expect from the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The position he’ll be asked to play, however, is a different story.

The Calgary Stampeders starter for the first two weeks of the season at boundary corner, Brooks is expected to return from a strained MCL in his left knee at halfback, replacing the injured Quincy Butler (knee).

Brooks last saw action against the same team he’ll face Friday (7 p.m., TSN, News Talk 770), as he went down in the Week 2 road loss to the Riders when he collided with a teammate on a tackle.